The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 349

Sophia froze up a bit.

Brandon didn't let her go, and just pulled her in tighter, his palm gently cradling the back of her head, pressing her face against his chest.

Theresa, who was chowing down on her meal, looked up in wonder, her eyes wide open with a mix of curiosity and confusion.

"Daddy, Mommy, what are you doing?" She couldn't help but blurt out the question.

Her voice made Sophia instinctively push Brandon away, feeling a tad awkward. She wasn't used to showing this kind of affection in front of the kiddo.

Brandon looked at Theresa, "Daddy's hugging Mommy."

"Why do you wanna hug Mommy?" Theresa didn't get it.

Daddy was a new character in her life that day, not someone who'd been there since she was a peanut, so she didn't quite grasp what “mom and dad” meant to her yet.

In her mind, she got hugs from mom when she cried, was scared, or just wanted a cuddle. But she didn't see Mommy crying, looking scared, or asking for a hug.

"Because Daddy wanted to give Mommy a hug," Brandon said softly.

Theresa just went "Okay", feeling like she got an answer, but not really at the same time.

But hey, she was a little one with simple thoughts, and quickly reached out to Brandon, "I want a hug from Daddy too."

Brandon smiled at her and picked her up.

Theresa was thrilled to bits, and couldn't resist telling Sophia, "Mommy, Daddy hugged me too!"

Sophia couldn't help but smile back, not quite daring to look at Brandon, whose sudden tenderness always caught her off guard.

After holding Theresa for a bit, he set her down to continue her meal.

She was a bit taller than average for her age, but skinny and light, clearly taking after Sophia's build. Her temperament was all Sophia too, quiet and super well-behaved, a little angel.

Maybe it was the old stories that came up, or Theresa's presence, but the meal was cozy and harmonious.

Still, Sophia felt a bit of an emotional whirlwind, still in the middle of adjusting mentally.

Theresa, young and with simple joys, was over the moon to have both mom and dad with her at dinner for the first time.

Not until the door closed did Sophia let out a long sigh, finally able to process her feelings amidst the familiar surroundings.

Brandon watched Sophia leave, didn't stop her, just stared at her disappearing figure for a while, then pulled out his phone and called Grace, hoping she could come over and check on the kid.

Grace was on her way back and hurriedly agreed, arriving in about ten minutes.

"Thanks, Grace."

Brandon hung up; glancing at Theresa, who fell peacefully asleep on the bed, he couldn't resist sitting down beside her, gently stroking her face, feeling the emotion of "his daughter" swirling inside. He watched her for a while before getting up to take a shower.

Grace arrived just as he finished drying his hair.

"Where's Sophia?" Grace, used to seeing Sophia at home, glanced around confused.

"She's next door." Brandon said, "Can you watch Theresa for a bit?"

With that, Brandon took one more look at the still-sleeping Theresa, grabbed the keys from the entryway, and stepped out.